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World Retail Congress brings together not only the best content but the opportunity to explore the host city through the Retail Study Tour and exclusive events. In 2023, we hosted numerous fringe events and plenty of networking opportunities off stage. 

This year’s Congress celebrated legendary retailers and provided attendees with the opportunity to learn from the next generation of retail as part of the Future Retail Challenge and so much more. Find out what took place at our 2023 edition and how you can get involved next year.  

Retail Study Tour

Our 2023 Study Tour took a special group of delegates through the magnetic city of Barcelona, highlighting the most innovative and original retail spots. The exclusive experience included stops at Amettler Origen, Mercat d’Autors, Psg. de Gracia, Tendam, Portal del Angel and Bulgari, along with a personal tour around Primark from CEO, Paul Marchant.

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Three days of insights

World Retail Congress' content programme is formed around the issues affecting retail leadership most today. From the macro issues to the micro. In April more than 120 speakers took to the stage to challenge and inspire attendees, providing tangible takeaways to progress businesses and the industry.

WHO'S SPEAKING?

Future Retail Challenge

The Future Retail Challenge student competition has become an established and popular part of the World Retail Congress. This year saw it enter its 14th edition, promoting future talent in the retail industry. Partnering with universities around the globe, the Future Retail Challenge promotes the work that the colleges do, the range of talented students and brings the students’ fresh thinking and new ideas on retail into the Congress itself.

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Exclusive research

To ensure attendees come away with actionable intel, exclusive research reports are published each year around the key themes and challenges. For 2023, we worked with key knowledge partners, AlixPartners, BCG and Deloitte, to publish forward thinking reports to help our community grow and progress. Take a look at the enlightening findings we’ve produced.

READ PREVIOUS REPORTS

Opening Party

The World Retail Congress opening party is a way for our delegates to mingle and let their hair down after a long day of learning and taking on board insights. Our 2023 Opening Party was hosted at the historic La Llotja, in partnership with Deloitte and Google Cloud, where a mesmerising fashion show was held by Junk Kouture.

World Retail Hall of Fame

Launched in 2007 with a founding group of 100 members, The Hall of Fame honours retail’s most influential representatives. Each year, the Congress inducts three to four new members, recognising the achievement of individuals whose ideas have shaped retailing through the businesses and brands they have created, or by their skills in running the retail industry’s giants.

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Woman of the Year Award

At World Retail Congress we know the value of women’s voices in the retail sphere. To honour empowering female leadership, we presented the Woman of the Year Award at our 2023 event, which was given to Louise Greenlees - Group President of TJX. The evening ended with a reception for Women In Retail, where inspiring female perspectives were brought to the stage.

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Insightful Workshops

At World Retail Congress there are so many exciting and insightful things to get involved in. Our 2023 workshops were hugely popular, each had its own expert hosts or panellists, striking up discussions and sharing enlightening, hands-on strategy to help our delegates transform their businesses from within.

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Join retail leaders shaping the future of global retailers